ECHA Seeks Comments on 7 Substances Potentially of Very High Concern
The European Chemicals Agency is seeking comments on proposals submitted by five European Union member countries to identify seven chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), which could make them subject to the "authorization" component of the EU’s REACH1 program.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
Comments are due by April 7, 2011.
ECHA to Consider if Chemicals Are SVHCs, if Should be Removed from Market
Under REACH, the ECHA is required to determine whether chemical substances proposed by member countries for consideration should be characterized as SVHCs. ECHA then: (1) places all those it characterizes as SVHCs on a “Candidate List”; (2) prioritizes them according to the level of concern; and (3) recommends to the European Commission those which it thinks should be subject to REACH “authorization.”
If subjected to REACH authorization, a chemical substance may not be placed on the market or used in the EU unless an authorization is granted for its use. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/22/11 news, 11022215, for BP summary of the first six substances subjected to REACH authorization.)
Companies Using SVHCs Have Immediate Notification Obligations
In addition to possibly being subject to REACH authorization, once a SVHC is included on the Candidate List, EU or EEA2 suppliers of these substances face certain notification requirements.
For example, producers and importers of articles which contain that SVHC in a concentration above 0.1% (w/w)3 must provide certain information to their customers and, on request, to a consumer within 45 days of the receipt of the request. The information must include the name of the substance, ensure safe use of the article, etc. Suppliers of the substance itself have to provide customers with data safety sheets. Suppliers of the substance in a mixture that is not classified as dangerous have to provide recipients, at their request, with a safety data sheet if the concentration of this substance in the mixture is ≥ 0.1% (w/w) for non-gaseous mixtures and if the substance is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB).
ECHA Seeks Comments on Chemicals’ Uses, Alternatives, Risks, Etc.
To facilitate its evaluation, ECHA seeks comments primarily on the hazardous properties that qualify the chemicals as SVHCs, as well as further information related to their uses, exposure, and availability of safer alternative substances or techniques.
7 Substances Being Considered for SVHC Status
The following are the names and potential uses of the 7 substances being considered for SVHC status:
| Substance Name | CAS Number (EC Number) | Potential Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Cobalt dichloride | 7646-79-9 (231-589-4) | mostly used as intermediate in the synthesis of other inorganic cobalt compounds; other uses include synthesis of vitamin B12, electroplating, and in the synthesis of pigments, animal food and veterinary products |
| 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (2-EEA) | 111-15-9 (203-839-2) | mainly used as solvent and for the formulation of paints, lacquers and varnishes for industrial use. |
| strontium chromate | 7789-06-2 (232-142-6) | used in coatings, varnishes, and sealants |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C7-11-branched and linear alkyl esters (DHNUP) | 68515-42-4 (271-084-6) | used in polyvinyl chlorides (PVC) and foam; automotive sealant; urethane, glass, and transmission adhesive; roof coatings, barrier coatings, exterior trim, and tarps; cement, caulk, and sealer; high-end luggage; plasticization of electrical and communication wire insulation. |
| Hydrazine | 7803-57-8 302-01-2 (206-114-9) | used in manufacture of chemicals, fertilizers, plant protection products, etc. |
| 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone | 872-50-4 (212-828-1) | used in coatings, cleaning products, agrochemicals, electronic equipment manufacture, petrochemical processing, pharmaceuticals, etc. |
| 1,2,3-trichloropropane | 96-18-4 (202-486-1) | used in pesticides, chlorinated solvents, polysulfide elastomers, hexafluoropropylene |
| 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, di-C6-8-branched alkyl esters, C7-rich | 71888-89-6 (276-158-1) | used as a plasticizer in PVC and as a plasticizer in sealants and printing inks |
1REACH entered into force on June 1, 2007, and is intended to streamline and improve the former legislative framework on chemicals of the EU. It stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals and places greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks that chemicals may pose to health and the environment.
2The European Economic Area (EEA) countries, which include Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway, have also adopted REACH.
3w/w is an abbreviation for "by weight," used to describe the concentration of a substance in a mixture or solution.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 08/31/10 news, 10083102, for BP summary of the most recent ECHA comment request regarding substances for potential SVHC status.
ECHA notification obligations for substances on the Candidate List available here.
ECHA current “Candidate List” of 46 SVHCs available here.